The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has implemented significant welfare initiatives for senior citizens under the Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana (AVYAY), reflecting the government's commitment to 'Ageing with Dignity' and 'Ageing at Place'. For the quarter ending June 30, 2026, the Ministry released ₹24.06 crores as Grant-in-Aid to 202 projects under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens for the financial year 2026-27.
Under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), 53,776 beneficiaries received 2,69,747 assistive living devices distributed through camp mode and walk-in centers operated by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) at Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Vayoshri Kendra (PMD-VK). The program coverage has been expanded to include 30 additional gap districts, bringing the total coverage of Senior Citizen Homes to 435 districts across the country.
The Ministry launched two digital platforms to enhance service access: the 'JEEVAN' (Joint Elderly Empowerment & Virtual Assistance Network) mobile app and the 'SHATAYU' (Senior Holistic Care Assistance and Training For Your Utility) dashboard, inaugurated by Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar. These platforms aim to strengthen the caregiving ecosystem and improve access to welfare services for senior citizens.
Additionally, the Ministry organized a National Workshop on creating a well-functioning Care Economy in coordination with central ministries, departments, academia, stakeholders, and state/UT governments. The International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2026, with the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', was organized at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with approximately 1,300 senior citizens participating. Regional Resource Training Centres, Senior Citizen Homes, and organizations with MoUs participated extensively, while Brahma Kumaris organized a yoga function at Red Fort with 20,000 participants. The Department also signed an MoU with All World Gayatri Pariwar at Shanti Kunj, Haridwar to promote awareness, wellness, community outreach, and inter-generational bonding activities.